Written on: March 13, 2024 by SprayTM
Volker Backs, Head of Public Affairs, Energy, Trade & Managing Director of Speira GmbH, is the new Chairman of the Aluminium Deutschland (AD) aluminum semi-finished products trade association. He was elected at the general meeting of the aluminum semi-finished products trade association in Düsseldorf, Germany. Backs succeeds Frank Busenbecker, Director DACH Strategy at Hydro Extrusion Europe, who chaired the association from 2018 to 2024.
Martin Knötgen, General Partner & CEO of OTTO FUCHS KG, was also elected as deputy.
Busenbecker (left) and Backs
“I would like to thank you for your trust and look forward to the upcoming tasks in the professional association. My express thanks also go to my predecessor, Frank Busenbecker, for his many years of commitment,” said Backs.
“The aluminum semi-finished products industry is making an important contribution to the transformation,” he added.
“Europe needs us and will become Greener with us. Climate protection only works with a strong industry. That is why we continue to advocate for competitive framework conditions, against unfair competition, and for a policy that integrates climate protection and industrial value creation.”
Knötgen
Busenbecker shared, “Together we have overcome challenges, taken innovative paths and advanced the value of aluminum as a material and its industry. This path is not yet complete. There is still a lot to do.”
“We need an economic policy Agenda 2030—an agenda that creates trust and planning security and helps the industrial location to gain new strength, “Busenbecker said.
The general meeting took place during a challenging time for Industry. The year 2023 was marked by significant declines, both in the rolled products segment and for extrusion presses, but the outlook for 2024 is cautious, said AD.
The prospects for the material remain positive, but companies in Germany are under great demand. A survey among 50 member companies revealed complaints about high energy costs, heavy bureaucracy and unfair competitive conditions.
